Down East

Hey all! I’m planning on trying to draw a November tag for a Whitetail in the next few years and am looking for some options or opinions on wilderness backpacking areas or units to put in for. I’m in N.C. and have never hunted Couse but have researched and studied and researched some more these desert versions of what I hunt back here in the East. Very appealing and definitely challenging to me. From what I do know and hear I’m not interested in the border units. 31, 32, 22, 24, 23 are a few that look appealing for different reasons. I’m definitely interested in the more remote areas if at all possible. Thanks in advance for anybody’s 2 cents!!!

Ok sounds good. Yeah I have been looking at those Garmin Inreach units. Definitely worth the piece of mind when solo hunting. Thanks guys!!

Hey quick question for you guys that have been around Unit 33. In general how is the cell reception around this unit? I have a Garmin GPS for location purposes but I’m considering getting a satellite communicator for more remote locations. Thanks.

Thanks for the reply CatfishKev. That makes perfect sense. I assume like most deer do they get up and stretch their legs for a couple hours in the morning and evening but stay pretty close to where they feel somewhat safe. Just logically thinking I would assume that glassing around the thicker draws would probably give me the best chance to catch a buck getting up from or returning to bed during the lower light times of the day. If you can’t tell already I’m doing a lot of assuming here based on the fact that I have no experience with these Coues deer. I’m trying to keep my mind as open as possible however so I don’t end up trying to find a deer the way I want to find one instead of hunting the deer for what they are. I guess what I’m trying to say is as with most wild game you have to play by their rules and not try to force them to play by our rules. Thanks again for the 2 cents!

I have been scouring over topo maps and satellite images of Unit 33. Primarily elevations from 4,000-6,000 ft. I can see plenty of potential good glassing vantage points for different times of day. I can envision some of the more vegetated draws definitely holding more deer especially during the warmer mid day hours, but I’m curious to know if you guys see good numbers of deer on the more sparsely vegetated hills when the rut isn’t going on. I would guess these deer get more careless and appear in more vulnerable, less vegetated areas during the rut but I seriously doubt I’ll be able to draw a “rut time tag” anytime in the near future. Thanks again for all the help and insight.

Yeah I feel like a gallon a day should be in my range. Maybe a little more with cooking, etc... I know I will be making long hikes with a pack full of gear but Im planning on sitting in a good glassing location for several hours at a time if all goes well. Thanks for your input.

UTAH Camp, dang man! Sorry to hear about that. I feel sick every time I hear of something like that happening. Hopefully you will be able to recover at least some of your items. Like AZ Hunter1 said... Some people just really suck! Karma will catch up to those idiots I truely believe however. I hope they get what they deserved.

So I have to share a few pictures of the deer my son shot. I thought you guys might be able to appreciate it. Grossed 165 7/8. The guy in the picture is my taxidermist.

I sit in a bow stand 40-50 times and sit with my son rifle hunting 10-12 times a deer season here in N.C. and see plenty of deer but the spot and stalk style of hunting that is virtually impossible where I hunt is what makes the AZ desert so appealing to me. Who knows, I may be awful at glassing and stalking but hunting is hunting and fishing is fishing. I’ll try, learn from any errors made and try again until it works out. That philosophy has generally served me well over the years.

Yeah don’t get me wrong I prefer to carry as little weight as possible but sometimes I have to do what I have to do to stick to a game plan that I have confidence in. I have learned on several occasions hunting or fishing that if I am not confident in what I am doing I might as well be at Disney taking pictures with Mickey Mouse. I do think that 3 days max away from my vehicle will make the most sense. Depending on how that time period goes then regroup at the vehicle, restock supplies and go again. I’m super excited to go on this adventure in case yaull were wondering!!

I’ll definitely have some electrolyte mix with me. Good reminder there. I can only carry about 5 gallons of water in my pack and have enough weight space for the rest of my gear. I’m only 5’6” weighing 150 so a total weight of more than about 65- 70 pounds becomes a burden after several miles in. Packing out meat is one thing if I’m headed to my vehicle. Theoretically I’ll be dropping 8 lbs. with every gallon I use but hopefully the loss of water weight will be replaced with the weight of deer meat. Wishing thinking I know but gotta stay positive. Thanks again for the advice.

Yeah I understand the physical demands but I think I am mostly prepared for that. The lack of humidity is obviously way way different than here in N.C. I’m planning to take a gallon of water per day (temperature pending). Would you guess that’s about the right amount?

I kinda figured that I could throw a dart at the unit and possibly be close to a decent area but not being able to put boots on the ground before the hunt starts is my main hurdle. I’m up for the challenge I think of finding good vantage points and then finding a buck during the hunt but I can definitely tell that I may potentially burn a lot of time scouting for just a decent, somewhat remote glassing location. I’m somewhat of a “I wonder what’s over the next ridge” kinda person so I’ll try to keep that mentality in check if I do run across a good glassing point. By hunting the entire hunt time period I feel as though I will be able to hunt more methodically instead of being in a 3 or 4 day panic. Maybe I’m biting off more than I can chew with this adventure but I’m always up for a good learning experience. If nothing else I’ll confirm how well or poorly I judged my pre conceived notions. Thanks again for everyone’s knowledge and advice. Now I just have to hope I get a tag!!

Thanks for the info guys. Very much appreciated!!!

Here’s another ignorant question from the guy who has never laid eyes on the terrain in the AZ Coues country. I stare at google earth for hours trying to read and understand what I see based on the satellite images on my computer. However most often the satellite images done tell the whole story based on past experience. I’m assuming most, if not all, of the area in 33 that I am looking at could hold deer but I am really struggling to identify promising looking areas that set themselves apart from the rest of the terrain. My question is....I think I have a good feel of elevations based on vegetation densities but I’m curious to know if you guys have areas that traditionally produce deer sightings or do you just have excellent spots that are just really good vantage points where you can cover a lot of ground from a precise location? I’m definitely not wanting anyone to spoil my DIY hunt by giving me coordinates so this is just a general question. Thanks!!

Yotebuster, Thanks for explaining that for me. Makes perfect sense. I’ve ruled out border units I believe. Just don’t think they would be the best for me. For some guys I’m sure they are great. I have definitely considered a subscription to the Go Hunt planner. I’m sure there is a ton of info on there that would greatly streamline my hunt and the hunt planning process. On the bright side if I put in and don’t get drawn this year atleast I get a point for next year. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve always considered myself a very fortunate person anyway so maybe I’ll luck up and get drawn. Thanks buddy!!

Thanks man for the pointers. They are all helpful one way or another. If I draw a hunt I would stay the whole hunt. Maybe break the week up into 2 trips in 2 different locations within the same unit or something like that. Thanks again!!

Those percentages seem lower than the ones that Arizona Game and Fish put on their site from last year. Maybe I’m just looking at it wrong. Good chance of that! Ha ha. 33 is definitely an appealing unit to me but I might would put in for 21 or 22 as well,

No I do not have any points. I should still have a decent chance at drawing some sort of hunt with no points though correct?

Thanks for info on those binos. Good to know options. I like the idea of scouting as much as possible for sure but I think I would rather do my scouting with a rifle in my hand for the first trip. If I shoot one great, if not I’ll just chalk it up as a scouting/learning experience. I know I could get an OTC archery tag guaranteed but it appears as though my chances to get a rifle tag in all seasons but the last one are pretty decent odds. Maybe I’m not looking at it correctly but I think that’s the route I want to go. I’m certain if I went bow hunting I would see a buck 2-300 yards out grinning at me and if I take a rifle I will see one 1,000 yards out doing the same. You know how that works! This first go at it is going to be a 90% learning experience for me with a 10% chance of killing a buck. I’m good with that too. It’s a beautiful place to get schooled anyway. Thanks!!!

I’ll probably rent a pair of 15’s and have my 10’s as well and experiment with them both. Atleast that will give me options.

Yeah I learned early on in this process that glassing without a tripod isn’t an option. The 15’s I will rent come with a backpack tripod so I’ll probably just go that route and get an adaptor for my 10’s and bounce between the 2. Thanks again for the advice.

Thanks for the info once again guys! PRDATR, Once I get drawn and figure out my logistics and timing on everything I’ll reach out to you guys and let you know when and where I’m going to hunt. Thanks again to everybody for the help and generosity.!!!

Thanks for the advice. Flatlander I agree With you 100%. A 10x Swaro is way better than a 15x middle of the road bino in my opinion too. I’ll looked at the Optics 4 Rent and that’s a very appealing option to me. Thanks Man!!!

What’s yaulls advice on Binos. I have a pair of Nikon Monarch 10x42 but would consider getting some 15’s if you all think it would be worth the investment. I can imagine a higher power bino would be beneficial for longer distances or detail magnification but a good pair of 15’s is going to be a little chunk of money. Thanks.